Library thefts soar, and security systems multiply
The plot sounds like an ultra-British detective story. A collection of rare books initially valued at about $2 million, including a 1638 edition of Galileo's Discorsi, disappear from London's University College Library. A "Dr. French" approaches Quaritch's, a rare book dealer in London, with about 20 books that he wants to trade for a medieval manuscript. Quaritch's notices tracings of University College Library stamps and alerts the library. About the same time, librarians checking on the volumes discover that padlocks on the appropriate cabinets have been changed. All told, about 267 books are missing. Scotland...
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